bio

Trumpeter, mellophonist, composer, and arranger Ben Bowen studied jazz trumpet at York University and Humber College, and completed his Honours Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at York in 2009.

An in-demand player with a 10-year history of working primarily in pop and folk in the Toronto area, he has played and recorded as a sideman with a number of notable Canadian musicians, including Great Aunt Ida, Dan Goldman, Ronley Teper, Kevin Hearn, Lily Frost, Brian MacMillan, Drew Smith, A Northern Chorus, and Tamara Williamson. He has also played in bands backing Sarah Harmer, Ron Sexsmith, the Rheostatics, Tony Dekker, Jason Collett, Kurt Swinghammer, and Justin Rutledge, and in 2008 will be featured on new albums by Nick Zubeck, Metal Kites, Valery Gore, Garner, Brian MacMillan, and Ronley Teper.

Currently, Ben's main emphasis is on playing live; he's actively involved with the Book of Gnomes, Great Aunt Ida, and Ronley Teper. Yearly, Ben also plays at a high-profile Christmas concert in Toronto in support of the Daily Bread Food Bank, as well as at various other charity and benefit events.

Growing up listening to Bruce Cockburn, Vivaldi, the Beatles, Cat Stevens, and Prokofiev (among some of his favourites), Ben quickly developed the skill of playing along by ear to virtually anything he heard, so that today he is equally at home playing pop, jazz, folk, funk, or rock music, and can be thrown into almost any playing situation and blend perfectly. Due to that versatlity, he has had the opportunity to perform in numerous Toronto clubs such as the Rivoli, the El Mocambo, the Horseshoe, Lee's Palace, the Tranzac, the Press Club, Mitzi's Sister, Gate 403, and Trane Studio, among others. Ben's playing is characterized by a keen sense of melody, coupled with the expert ability to listen and react with superb taste to whatever he hears.

Here's what people have to say about Ben:

"Ben Bowen is one of the best and most tasteful trumpeters in Canada. He has the unusual ability to play with big ears and a warm supportive tone while maintaining a strong presence and bold sound."
~ Christine Bougie (guitarist)

"Ben is one of those musicians who feels music so innately that it seems effortless..endlessly creative and ruthless in his quest to realize his ideas..not to mention some of the best ears i've ever come across.."
~ Brian MacMillan (songwriter)

“Ben Bowen's lines are as fluid and gorgeous as a river rushing through an autumn wood.”
~ Dan Goldman (songwriter)

“Bowen is one of those players that gives you goosebumps with every note. He is smooth like butter but knows how to melt it on toast when the music needs to burn.”
~ Ronley Teper (songwriter)

“Ben is one of the most professional musicians I have ever worked with... He has a great ear and can really play. He has taught me many great things on the bandstand over the years.”
~ Neal Davis (bassist, composer)

“Ben's trumpet sound is warm and sits perfectly wherever it lands.”
~ Dave Marcotte, Polyester Heart (acoustic pop)


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